I've been mostly been applying on Indeed or directly on company's career website.

So far I have applied to 25 positions and I moved on to the next step in only 3 cases. I also got a few rejection emails but for most I simply haven't gotten any response. It's been a week since I applied.

A few questions: For tech positions, how long do you usually hear positive response after applying without networking? In another word, how long does it go by before you realize you got rejected?

What can I do to improve my results? Especially, how can I take advantage of LinkedIn? I have an LinkedIn and I'm doing the Premium trial now. Should I contact recruiters directly via IM?

When you fill out an application, do you then follow up with an email or phone call?

I would highly suggest this. It seems applying for jobs off LinkedIn/Indeed/Glassdoor are black holes.

You need something that doesn't go into a black hole immediately, like direct contact. Since you have LinkedIn Premium, you have a great advantage. Before you hit submit on the application, find one or two people in HR or Recruiting, or if you know the hiring manager them, and send them an email or phone call that lets them know you submitted an application for {{ open position}}. BRIEFLY say who you are, your skills, and why you want the job. No more than, like, 5-7 sentences.

Then, at the end of the email/call, explain that if they are not the person who should be receiving the email, forward it to them. Thank them for their time. The usual.

If you DM me, I may be able to look through my old emails and send you a template of what I have used.

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